Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather-Chapter 486 - 448: If we’re in contact with Marquis Jing’an, where would we get the chance to take action?_2
Chapter 486: Chapter 448: If we’re in contact with Marquis Jing’an, where would we get the chance to take action?_2
"Heh heh~~"
Ji Zhen let out a light chuckle, "A bunch of arrogantly ignorant fools, if they seek death, then let them die!"
The Hengdao Sect is the overlord of Jizhou; in the Jianghu, Jizhou is Hengdao Sect’s territory. Any Jianghu Martial Artist of repute who comes to Jizhou must first pay a visit to the Hengdao Sect.
In the political sphere, the Hengdao Sect also has many connections, and quite a few officials owe their positions to the Hengdao Sect’s support.
Jianghu has never been solely the world of the Jianghu Martial Artists; the political arena is also part of the Jianghu.
Most of the time, Jianghu forces are under the influence of power and authority, but that does not mean they cannot wield such power.
A Jianghu force like the Hengdao Sect, if they did not have the backing of political power, how could they possibly secure the leading position in Jizhou.
Moreover, the Hengdao Sect also possesses formidable martial strength.
The things the Luo family dreads, the Hengdao Sect doesn’t care about at all.
However, Ji Hai furrowed his brows and said, "Master, is it really appropriate for us to take action ourselves? Should we not inform Marquis Jing’an ahead of time?"
Ji Zhen rose to his feet, his murky eyes still gazing out at the willows swaying outside the window.
With one hand behind his back and the other stroking his long beard, his gaunt figure stood erect, as firm and stable as a pine tree.
"To inform Marquis Jing’an, would that leave any room for us to take action?"
"You always worry too much, lacking decisiveness!"
"We seek not the business or profits of the Luo family, but the gratitude of Marquis Jing’an!"
"Heh heh, after this matter is settled, you will visit Chongshan Pass personally. Marquis Jing’an is surely not a stingy man!"
Ji Zhen’s murky eyes flashed suddenly, revealing an unmistakable sharpness.
Ji Hai found his master’s thoughts somewhat inscrutable.
Gratitude from Marquis Jing’an?
Aside from wine and tea, what more could Marquis Jing’an offer as thanks?
Nevertheless, he did not question Ji Zhen’s resolution, "Then as a Disciple, I’ll go take control of the Luo family!"
"Mm! There’s no need for any reservations; this time we must strike openly and boldly! We must let everyone know that in Jizhou, we of the Hengdao Sect cannot be ignored," said Ji Zhen with a crisp voice.
Ji Hai was slightly taken aback; he felt that his master was somehow different today.
But what exactly was different, he couldn’t quite put his finger on.
...
Jizhou has a canal that originates from Beiyuan Town’s Beiru River, flows through Liaoxi, joins with Liaoxi’s West Liao River, and passes through Changqing Mountain to merge with the numerous streams within Changqing Mountain.
Therefore, Jizhou Canal has a very strong current, especially the section from Changqing Mountain to the sea, which is wide enough for Da Fu Ships to navigate. However, Da Fu Ships cannot pass through the river sections within Changqing Mountain and to continue heading west, one must board medium-sized vessels.
Jizhou’s commerce flourished, firstly because Jizhou is a necessary gateway to the Liaodong Region and secondly because its canal leads directly to Beiyuan Town.
In the past, Jizhou’s maritime trade was far more prosperous than other places in Liaodong, with almost all ships from Jiangnan choosing to dock at Jizhou. However, now, due to the influence of the Tenglong Guard, Jizhou’s maritime trade has taken a significant hit.
Even so, Jizhou remains the most commercially prosperous area in the Liaodong Region, more prosperous even than the Tenglong Guard.
After all, Tenglong Guard is just a garrison, its commercial reach only extending to eastern Liao Yuan and Chongshan Town.
Whereas Jizhou’s commercial reach includes Liaoxi Province, Shanhe Province, Beiyuan Town, and others.
Thus, Jizhou is still presently the commercial hub of Liaodong.
As night falls, the wharf on the southern side of Jizhou City’s canal remains brightly lit, with numerous ships and laborers busy moving cargo.
And within the waterway, there are still many ships taking advantage of the moonlight to navigate.
On the riverway over twenty miles away from the docks of Jizhou City, a fleet of two large ships and seven medium and small vessels was slowly making its way along the river.
The cool moonlight poured onto the river surface, scattered by the waves raised by the ships.
Apart from the sound of the splashing water, the tranquility of the night remained undisturbed.
Suddenly, over a dozen small boats appeared on both sides of the riverway.
These small boats rushed toward the fleet at an incredibly fast speed, and before the sailors and ship workers on the fleet could react, ropes had already been thrown up onto the gunwales.
One by one, agile figures climbed aboard the vessels using the ropes.
"Who goes there!"
"Market Shipping Department inspection! Everyone stay calm!"
A middle-aged man in a bluish official robe climbed onto the Da Fu Ship, shouting commandingly.
Then a large number of government officers came forward and took custody of all the sailors and ship workers.
Inside the cabin, a chubby middle-aged man came running out, "Aiya, is that not Lord Jiang? Luo Cai, at your service, pays respects to Lord Jiang!"
The Market Shipping Department has one Tijiu of Secondary Fifth rank and two Deputy Tijius of Secondary Sixth rank, subordinate to the Governor’s Office, and although in Jizhou, the department does not come under the jurisdiction of the Prefectural Government but is directly managed by the Ping Yuan Government.
And this middle-aged official was one of the two Deputy Tijius of the Jizhou Market Shipping Department, Jiang Cheng.
Luo Cai was the manager of the Luo family, responsible for the family’s maritime trade affairs.
Naturally, Luo Cai recognized Jiang Cheng, and their Luo family even had a good relationship with him.
After all, the Luo family was among the top merchants in Jizhou, and having been involved in maritime trade for many years, they frequently dealt with officials from the Market Shipping Department.
Jiang Cheng looked at Luo Cai, grinned, and said: "Sorry, Manager Luo!"
"Ah!" Luo Cai was shocked, "Lord Jiang is joking, it is my fault!"
He did not quite understand Jiang Cheng’s purpose; why conduct an inspection in the dead of night when one would be better off staying home, especially since he had heard of no troubles in Jizhou!
Jiang Cheng did not bother to explain, simply ordered: "Take him down!"
The next moment, two constables came forward and captured Luo Cai.
"Lord Jiang, Lord Jiang, what is this about?" Luo Cai exclaimed in shock.
However, Jiang Cheng completely ignored him and watched as the constables tied up everyone on the ship.
Some on the ship tried to resist, but they were quickly hacked to death by the disorderly slashes.
Luo Cai shivered as he witnessed this bloody scene, "You’re not constables from the Market Shipping Department!"
He knew full well the capabilities of the people on his ship.
The man who had just been defeated was a notorious outlaw from the worldly society, hired by their Luo family at a high price to guard the ship; he had taken the risk considering he had a warrant on his head.
Yet this notorious outlaw didn’t last even a single exchange of blows against a constable from the Market Shipping Department.
"Heh heh, I belong to the Hengdao Sect!" said a burly man who was holding Luo Cai with a grin.
"You!" Luo Cai’s face was filled with shock and disbelief.
The Hengdao Sect!
Why would the Hengdao Sect want to rob a Luo family ship?
And why is the Market Shipping Department colluding with the Hengdao Sect!
He couldn’t figure it out, and the others didn’t care whether he could or not.
After capturing everyone, Jiang Cheng and the constables steered the ship toward the docks of Jizhou.
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